How we fuel our bodies is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat disease and improve our well-being. We are all different, both in terms of our biology, but also our history and relationship with food. There are many factors which influence how you eat such as culture, food availability, cost, ethical or religious beliefs, health concerns, etc. With my guidance we can work to develop an approach to nutrition and eating patterns which is aligned with your health goals, but is also realistic and attainable.

We are all well-aware of the benefits of exercise for both physical and mental health. However, we often struggle to initiate or then stick with an exercise routine. We may buy the workout clothes and shoes, or the gym membership, but then are challenged to find the time, motivation, or energy to keep up with our plan. Or you may have an injury or limitation which hinders your ability to exercise within traditional means. Through our work together we will use your wisdom about your body to identify ways to integrate more movement into your routine. Finding a form of activity that is fun and joyful is often the missing piece to a sustainable exercise regimen. The human body is meant to move, and we all deserve to be able to nurture that aspect of ourselves.

Science is just starting to scratch the surface of the impacts of acute and chronic stress on the rest of the body, and especially on disease progression. Together we will identify the areas of stress in your life, and come up with effective strategies to manage them.

Quality sleep is an essential, but often neglected, aspect of our health and well-being. Sleep plays a crucial role in tissue repair, immune function, hormone balancing, and mood regulation, to name just a few. It also supports cognitive function, memory, concentration, and decision-making skills. Needless to say, sleep cannot be overlooked when addressing your health and wellness goals. Together we will identify challenges which may be impeding your ability to get enough quality sleep. We will work to optimize what time you do have to sleep, and identify strategies to get you back to feeling energized and focused throughout the day!

Our connection with others, both humans and animals, play a crucial role in regulating our nervous systems, thus influencing our health. The new science coming out about polyvagal theory and the power of connection is both fascinating, but also empowering. The support systems in our life, or lack thereof, play a big role in our ability to establish and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Together we will work on navigating the various relationships in your life with the goal to minimize the negative and maximize the positive.

One of the pillars of my coaching practice is working with you to identify your goals. A goal can simply be anything you hope to accomplish, from making one homemade meal next week, to being able to run a marathon in 10 years. Our goals are often strongly influenced by social and cultural pressures and norms, so we may need to take time to dive deep into the origin of your personal goals. Goals are also not set in stone, but can (and often do) shift throughout our time working together. They provide the structure needed to establish and implement action steps along the way. They can also enhance motivation to engage in healthy behaviors which would otherwise be challenging or overwhelming.

Our current medical system in the US does little to address the growing epidemic of chronic disease, which now accounts for 70% of all deaths in this country (CDC). My experience working directly with chronic illness patients has taught me about the tremendous effort involved in managing a chronic condition. Together we can identify strategies to help ease that burden in your daily life.